The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has announced that it is going to extend the unilateral ceasefire by another one month.
Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)
Maoist chairman Prachanda (File Photo)
In a statement issued Friday, Maoist chairman Prachanda said the decision had been made in view of the demands made by forces within the country and abroad.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, alias Prachanda, however, alleged that the royal government continued to spread ‘terror’ against the rebels throughout the three-month-long unilateral ceasefire announced by his party.
The ceasefire came to an end on Friday.
Prachanda mentioned the death of a Maoist commander and alternative member of his party’s central committee, Kim Bahadur Thapa (Comrade Sunil) in an aerial raid early this week. He alleged the government of trying to force the Maoists to resort to military resistance.
Prachanda said his party stood by the ceasefire despite having to pay heavy price. He, however, warned that it will not be possible for the Maoists to continue the ceasefire if the royal government continued such activities.
The Royal Nepaelse Army has said it had resorted to aerial bombing at the bordering areas of Salyan and Rolpa after one of its choppers came under attack from the rebels.
In his statement, Prachanda said the three-month-long unilateral ceasefire had afforded an opportunity for the seven party opposition alliance and the CPN (Maoist) to present a new `blueprint’ to resolve the long-drawn political crisis in the country. He said the royal tour to African countries and the drama of municipal elections “were nothing but the climax of utter irresponsibility.”
Officials, however, defend the Africa tour of the royalties and say the municipal elections slated on February 8, next year are part of a democratic exercise.
In his statement, Prachanda hoped that the extension of ceasefire by one month will help in furthering the movement against what he called an autocratic monarchy and explore a political way out through the constituent assembly.
Elections to the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution has been one of the major demands of the Maoists. Critics, however, say such an election would further prolong acute political instability in the country.
The Maoists’ decision to extend the ceasefire has come after major political parties in the country and international community including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, appealed the rebels to extend their ceasefire.
The officials are yet to comment on the latest Maoist announcement. Earlier, they had said the Maoist ceasefire was only a `tactical ploy’ and that the rebels couldn’t be trusted.